Publix CEO set to retire

Publix CEO Ed Crenshaw is retiring, effective April 30, at which time Todd Jones will be appointed CEO.

       Crenshaw is a grandson of Publix founder George Jenkins. Crenshaw has worked for Publix for 42 years and was named CEO in 2008. Following his retirement, Crenshaw will continue serving on the Publix board of directors and will be named board chairman this spring. The current Publix board chairman, Charlie Jenkins Jr., will become chairman emeritus.

       “I’ve been privileged to lead what could quite possibly be the best company in the world,” Crenshaw said in a press release. “Company ownership provides our associates amazing opportunities and with that comes the responsibility to continue to grow our company and invest in each other. The time has come to turn over the reins, and I am pleased to have a leader with the experience of Todd who is ready to take the next step in his career. I am confident in his ability to lead our company into the future and to continue to make Publix a great place for both customers and associates.”

       In 1974, Crenshaw started his career with the family business as a front service clerk. He was promoted to director of retail operations for the Lakeland division in 1984, and in 1990, Crenshaw was promoted to vp of the Lakeland division and elected to serve on the company’s board of directors. A year later in 1991, Crenshaw started the Atlanta division of Publix, and he was promoted to evp of retail three years later in 1994. Crenshaw was appointed president in 1996 and then CEO in 2008.

       Jones began working for Publix in 1980 as a front-service clerk. He was promoted to store manager in 1988. Jones was named district manager in 1997 and was promoted to regional director two years later in 1999. In 2003, Jones was appointed vp of the Jacksonville division. In 2005 he was named svp of product business development before being named president in 2008.